Granted, there have been some games already – some great games at that (Indiana/Kansas was fantastic), but today marks the official start of the college basketball season.  Nearly every team in the country will be in action over the next 30 hours or so, some at utterly bizarre times, as the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon swings into action.  By the time most people read this, some of the great action will have already taken place; Villanova at Purdue, San Diego State at Gonzaga.  And for some teams, they will WISH the season really HADN’T started until today (UConn, 0-2 after a second straight low-major loss).

We had a nice opening night, posting a 3-1 ATS record to start the season.  Let’s see if we can recreate the good times with some ‘round the clock picks to keep you going during the marathon.

Favorite Plays:

Dayton Flyers +1 at Alabama Crimson Tide (1:15 PM EST)

I’m not sure what they Flyers need to do to garner some national respect.  Archie Miller has won five NCAA Tournament games in the last three years and brings back a squad that should contend for the A-10 title again this season.  Rhode Island has the pollsters attention.  VCU is always a trendy media darling, even after Shaka Smart heading to Texas.  But Dayton is still left out of the collective discussion.

Alabama will try to slow the game down and Avery Johnson’s squad will definitely defend.  But  I think Dayton has a little more firepower.  Look for Archie Miller’s team to steal a nice road win to start off the afternoon of exciting action.

My Pick:  Dayton Flyers +1

 

Oregon Ducks at Baylor Bears +1.5 (3:30 PM EST)

This is a tricky one.  Oregon was a #1 seed last year and returns four of five starters including best player Dillon Brooks.  But Dillon Brooks isn’t playing today.  And the game in in Waco against a solid Baylor squad.  Baylor is unranked, but don’t mistake that for thinking Scott Drew doesn’t have a good and competitive team.

Tyler Dorsey still gives the Ducks plenty of star power, but I think they are ripe for the upset (mild, mild upset, granted) tomorrow at the odd start time of 3:30pm.

My Pick:  Baylor Bears +1.5

 

Maryland Terrapins at Georgetown Hoyas -5.5  (6:30 PM EST)

I absolutely love that this cross-town rival is now a mainstay in the opening non-con portion of the college basketball season.  This year’s game features two unranked teams, but two teams that will probably be ranked at some point this season and hear their names called on Selection Sunday.

I may be in the minority, but I am still banking on a nice bounce-back junior season from Melo Tremble.  His sophomore campaign was a disaster, but his freshman year was special.  If he can get close that level again, Maryland could be a surprise contender in the Big Ten.

Georgetown needs to replace the production of Smith-Rivera from last season.  Rodney Prior and L.J. Peak did just that in the opener, but the competition level is a little different tonight with the Terps.  The line is scared down a little because of how pedestrian Maryland looked in a scuffling opener against American and how dominant Georgetown looked beating SC Upstate by 45.

I think comparable talent levels and rival tension keep this game really close tonight.  I’ll take the Terps, Melo and the points.

My Pick:  Maryland Terrapins +5.5

 

Belmont Bruins +8 at Vanderbilt Commodores

Um… anyone else see Vandy’s opener?  Marquette (a pretty average ballclub) beat the living hell out of Vandy with ease.  95-71, and Bryce Drew’s squad was completely outclassed.  Now, they ‘host; Belmont, the little mid-major that could (and who also shares a property line with Vandy).  Belmont will be poised and MORE than used to playing major conference foes.

From the looks of the opener, Vandy could be one of the worst Big Five schools this season.  This is a PRIME opportunity for a pumped-up ‘little brother’ to take a big swing for the fences and connect.

I love Belmont in this game getting eight points.  Vandy just isn’t very good and Belmont is a constant thorn in major programs sides over the past ten years.

Free Pick:  Belmont Bruins +8

 

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Duke Blue Devils -2.5 (MADISON SQUARE GARDEN)

This is my favorite play on the board.  People are over-reacting to the Kansas loss to an excellent, dynamic Indiana team.  They are also looking at the “#1” next to Duke and going ooooh and aaahhhh.  What they are NOT seeing is that the reason why the Devils are #1 is that they have three of the top ten freshman in the country joining an excellent veteran core.  The problem tonight is that NONE of those freshman are playing tonight die to injury.  That leaves Duke tonight basically 2015-2016 Duke, a talented team of shooters that lacks depth, defense and interior size.

So why are they still a healthy favorite tonight?  I’m not sure.

Kansas is the more talented team tonight and the more complete and deep team.  They have already played a top tier opponent and will be more than ready for this game tonight.  I like Kansas to not only cover but to win straight up tonight in ESPN’s fantastic climax to the Hoops Marathon.

My PICK:  Kansas Jayhawks +2.5